Lexie 3 weeks, 3 days old and as I have mentioned she is growing out of clothes so quickly!  She was already a big girl, so a few things were tight when we got home.  However, we have had a pretty drastic weather change (98 to 70 degrees) so now I am trying to get her in all her summery, warm weather clothes at least once or twice before it is too cool out!  I actually turned the heat on this morning to get rid f the chill in the house.  With no carpet this house gets cold easily.  Today we are wearing this outfit:

Her torso is long (hopefully she will have a long torso like her daddy, and very un-like her mama!) and therefore the newborn footies and some onesies are too short.  This shirt, for instance is already too short.  The breeches, however are a little big in the waist, and they are newborn!  Maybe she will be taller than her mama and thin too.  haha

This morning, we received a package from Granny and Grandpa that had lots of goodies!!  There were some pajamas, a sleep sack (can’t wait to use that) and some precious outfits.  We looove getting packages.  =)   Hopefully Granny can make it to Hot Springs with mom in October and she can see Lexie in person.

Today we are changing the linens, doing laundry and dusting.  Pre-baby I would vacuum every other day (because of the animals) but only deep-cleaned the house once a week.  I have since discovered the secret to a clean house post-baby is to do a few things every other day.  That way the house is always picked up and clean. =)   If I do it during her AM nap (that is, if she decides to take one) then I can still get a nap in the afternoon and have a clean home! 

I wish I could get a good pick of her eyelashes.  They are SO long, but they’re blonde… which apparently she got from J.Tom?  We don’t really know; she also has blonde highlights in her hair.  If those eyes don’t turn green, I am going to say they gave us the wrong baby!  haha  j/k.  Who could deny that face?  I think her hair is getting curlier because even when I brush it down it still curls, before it would at least straighten on the top!  We discovered the color-contrast book and a new rattle yesterday.  The book is all in red, black, and white which are the colors baby can see best and really help stimulate her brain.  She enjoyed looking at the book and is doing good following the sound of the rattle.  She also follows the camera when you are trying to take pictures.  She is a smart girl!

Dear Lexie Raye,

Ok, let’s have a talk. I know it is nice and dark, warm, and floaty in there, but it is really nice out here too- It is warm and humid, kinda the same thing.. Daddy and I are very anxious to see you and hold you and everyone is pestering the snot out of us to get you here!

The house is ready for your arrival:

• the kitchen is spotless and reorganized
• the regridgerator has never been cleaner
• the baseboards have been wiped down (although in a 60 year old house, you won’t know it in a few days for all the dust that reaccumulates…)
• the cabinets have been emptied and reorganized
• All the DVDs have been reorganzied and re-alphabetized (we won’t let daddy put them away anymore, because he apparently does not know his ABC’s)
• Everything that is not used has been taken to Salvation Army (in the equivalent to about 100 trips)
• Mommy and Daddy spent a lot of time “compromising” over what would stay and what would go from both of our hobby rooms in order to give you your own room. We now share a hobby room which is crowded and looks junky-but I am sure you are worth it. =)
• closets have been rearranged so you have your own
• all your clothes and linens are washed and put away
• your nursery has been primed, painted, decorated and furnished with much love from: Daddy and me, Mia, Sue Sue (previously known as Gwennie, but we changed it recently), Aunt Courtney, and Granddaddy Payne.
• You have lots of clothes to wear-REALLY CUTE clothes- and lots of shoes and hair bows!! You will love hair bows and shoes, they make clothes so worth wearing (until you become a tomboy at about age 8) Oh, even your Daddy has enjoyed shopping for your clothes, so this is like a BIG deal here, Kid.
• Missy Cat knows we are expecting you (that is her laying on you and purring for hours on end) and I am pretty sure Scarlet does too. Stitch, well… he is pretty clueless but I know he will love you. And he is great with kids, so you will like him too.
• We recently bought a new car from a used car dealer so it is safer for you, not to mention it is more comfortable for Daddy and me too. I’m so happy with the car, I love it!! Your car seat is in and ready to go!!
• Our bags are packed and in the car (minus daily hygiene stuff) so we are prepared whenever you start making your way
• We have your jogging stroller ready to go so you can see the beautiful outside world! Plus, it will be fall soon and you will LOVE fall. There aren’t many thing better than hot tea, crisp leaves, open windows, and a nice stroll outside to make you love life.
• Daddy is just as ready as I am for your arrival-you will fall madly in love with your dad.
• He even started driving again today, so he can be sure he can drive us to the hospital-which made Mom very nervous, but he did just fine.
• Now, Daddy’s bathroom (and our laundry room) is still in a bit of a mess because he didn’t get to finish it before his back went out, but I promise that is the only thing not totally ready.

• And most importantly (well, maybe not most important but a very close second)- Mommy is tired of being poked and prodded every week like a Thanksgiving Day Turkey. This, you will soon learn, isn’t a good thing (but we do LOVE Granny’s turkey and dressing and Thanksgiving..)

• Oh, I also got you some wonderful educational toys for when you are a few months older which you will enjoy playing with. I promise they will be more fun than dancing on my bladder and kicking my ribs all day. Honest!

So just keep these things in mind, as it is your “due” date today. This may just be an estimate date, but the doctors do this to torture pregnant women all over the world. Also, Mommy is ready for weight loss, running, spin class, sleeping on her tummy (when I will get to sleep), and a drink. So let’s move this process along, shall we?

Love,
Mom

Yes, so no baby yet.  Lots of regular contractions but they stop, which is quite disappointing.

I was told by the nurse if they need to induce me, I will be confined to the BED during labor.  Do you know what that means?!  No moving with contractions, no laboring in the shower for pain relief, no NOTHING.  Is that not insane?  Why do they do this to women?  There is very little chance of the cord becoming prolapsed and laying in the bed is not an efficient way to labor, at all!  So, I have decided if they do induce me and confine me to the stinkin bed, I am just going to go ahead with the epidural.  Because what point is there in laying in a bed for hours on end, with pitocin running through your body causing intense, unnatural contractions THAT YOU CANNOT MOVE TO LABOR WITH?!  Damn, if you are going to be confined to the bed once administered an epidural anyway, might as well get the epidural when confined to the bed for being induced..  Grr, can you tell I am a little frustrated?

I know there is no telling how, when, etc labor will start.  And frankly I don’t even care so much at this point.  But I do not like my choices and freedoms being limited, NOT because of dangers to me or my baby, but because of the fear of responsibilities and inconveniences to the doctors and nurses.  You know they will do the internal monitoring just so they don’t have to come readjust the external monitor every time she moves?  HELLO, it is in their JOB DESCRIPTION.  They are getting paid good money to take care of me and the baby…  ok.  I will try to calm down some.  But it isn’t like our hospital is so big and so crazy busy that they cannot take good care of someone.

I am telling you, depending on how this experience goes, the next one will not be born in a hospital.  I am just that put out with the doctors and hospital staff.  Since when is something my body knows to do naturally something YOU can dictate with your “policies” and “regulations” that have not been put in place for the patience care, but to cover your own butt and keep you from being bothered and inconvenienced?  Grr  And like this is going to get SO much better when the government gets involved… lovely.  Talk about loss of freedoms.

Ok, I am done whining now. Sorry.

Essentials from Ms. Nicky and Jodi

Tutu and GermX from Whitney.  Germ X will be on the entry hall table for guests.  =)  haha

37 weeks (not a good quality, taken with phone)

We are officially full term and if baby were to come now, everything would be fine.  Well, except that J.Tom is having surgery (hopefully this week) and we will need 2 weeks of recovery before he can drive or lift anything.  He has been down since July 24, so 2 full weeks now, and the epidural steroid shot did nothing… The nerves being pressed by the ruptured discs (there are 2) are “unprotected” nerves, so it could cause permanent damage if we don’t get them out.  We will call and schedule the pre-op stuff tomorrow, and hopefully have surgery Tues or Wed so he can get back to living life.  It is not a huge procedure, but they will put him under.

I go to the doctor tomorrow morning for our 37 week checkup.  Hopefully we will have some progress going, but if not I have decided I am not worrying about it.  I am just going to walk and she will come when she comes… I guess.  I have noticed changes, like when I lay down my chest is not as heavy and it is easier to breathe, so maybe she has settled downward some more.  Also, my skin is getting oily again, like it did that first month of my pregnancy (which is one reason I knew something was up..).  Hopefully that means everything is just around the corner (of course with only 3 weeks left it has to be “just around the corner,” huh?)  I am still shooting for the 26th…

My plans for the next few weeks have changed; due to J.Tom’s doctor apts and surgery I will probably wait to get my hair done, pedicure, and massage until next week or LATE this week.  We got our Pack n Play ordered and set up in the living room; the way our house is laid out, it will be easier to have that in the front of the house and the small bassinet in the bedroom.  I don’t mind laying her down on the couch for naps and things, but it’s just we have the dogs and the cat (which shed..), and for a while I think I will be uncomfortable putting her where they are used to laying.  I keep the furniture clean, but still.  If you know me, you know my up-tightnesses (that’s not a word, is it?) about certain things.  I know people will think I am overly obsessive about things, but to each their own, right?  We also have the nursery finished, including the changing pad (THANK YOU Mom), organized closet, and cushions on the rocker.  I have some pics I will post at the bottom of this blog.

One week from today is the shower my girlfriends are throwing for Lexie!  I cannot wait, because I have not seen them since the beginning of this summer (which is way too long).  I am very excited for them because they are either interning or got their first teaching jobs!  YAY

Oh, and a random thought… has anyone else noticed all these nasty little caterpillars that are EVERYWHERE?!  Apparently they hatched all at once the other day, and if you look down it looks like the ground is moving because there are so many crawling around… that is just kinda icky.

Bucket Aunt Courtney painted and decorated to match Lexie’s bedding

Diaper Bag

Picture that Aunt Courtney made-she is so talented!

Aunt Court made some wipe holders

One of my favorite blankets!  It is beautiful and SO soft.

Changing pad on dresser top, with tote

Hand made burp cloths by Mia and Rachelle-love them!

We are officially full term and if baby were come now, everything would be fine.  Well, except that J.Tom is having surgery (hopefully) this week and we will need 2 weeks of recovery before he can drive or lift anything.  He has been down since July 24, so 2 full weeks now, and the epidural steroid shot did nothing… The nerves being pressed by the ruptured discs (there are 2) are “unprotected” nerves, so it could cause permanent damage if we don’t get them out.  We will call and schedule the pre-op stuff tomorrow, and hopefully have surgery Tues or Wed so he can get back to living life.  It is not a huge procedure, but they will put him under.

I go to the doctor tomorrow morning for our 37 week checkup.  Hopefully we will have some progress going, but if not I have decided I am not worrying about it.  I am just going to walk and she will come when she comes… I guess.  I have noticed changes, like when I lay down my chest is not as heavy and it is easier to breathe, so maybe she has settled downward some.  Also, my skin is getting oily again with a few zits (ew), like it did that first month of my pregnancy (which is one reason I knew something was up..).  Hopefully that means everything is just around the corner (of course with only 3 weeks left it has to be “just around the corner,” huh?)  I am still shooting for the 26th…

My plans for the next few weeks have changed; due to J.Tom’s doctor apts and surgery I will probably wait to get my hair done, pedicure, and massage until next week or LATE this week.  We got out Pack n Play ordered and set up in the living room; the way our house is laid out, it will be easier to have that in the front of the house and the small bassinet in the bedroom.  I don’t mind laying her down on the couch for naps and things, but it’s just we have the dogs and the cat, and for a while I think I will be uncomfortable putting her where they are used to laying.  I keep the furniture clean, of course… but still.  If you know me, you know my up-tightnesses (that’s not a word, is it?).  I know people will think I am overly obsessive about things, but to each their own, right?  We also have the nursery finished, including the changing pad (THANK YOU MOM), organized closet, and cushions on the rocker.  I have some pics I will post at the bottom of this blog.

One week from today is the shower my girlfriends are throwing for Lexie!  I cannot wait, because I have not seen them since the beginning of this summer (which is way too long).  I am very excited for them because they are either interning or got their first teaching jobs!  YAY  So happy for them.  J.Tom and I are going to try to go eat today.  He seems to think he can sit long enough to eat out (I have my doubts) but I don’t want to discourage him when he is feeling good.

Oh, and a random thought… has anyone else noticed all these nasty little caterpillars that are EVERYWHERE?!  Apparently they hatched all at once the other day, and if you look down it looks like the ground is moving, there are so many crawling around… and that is just kinda icky.

Really, there is no reason to be on the verge of a breakdown, so that is a bit of an over exaggeration.  You know though, God just REALLY likes to test patience and faith.  Grrr… shame on Him at such an important time!  jk..

So, J.Tom has been down with his back since July 24.  We’ve been to the doctor, they did XRays.  Then we went in for an MRI-turns out it is a “large herniated disc.”  He has always had some back problems from playing football and stuff in college; they have always been solved by going to the chiropractor- a temorary fix but really the only fix for a young man. The technician says in her experience, this means surgery, that we are passed the physical therapy or steroid injection phase.

I’ve never seen him, or anyone I love, in so much physical pain and it is just driving me crazy.  I want so badly to make it go away, and can’t.  He has to lay flat on his back with very limited movement; can’t sit down to eat, can’t stand up for more than 5min at a time… it is a mess.  I don’t mind waiting on him and helping him (it gives me something to do all day) but I hate that I cannot make the pain go away. Oh, and DOCTORS SUCK.  PERIOD.  If you’re a doctor, I am mad at you.  I won’t go into why, but things could have and SHOULD have been handled a lot differently than they have been (and I’m not saying that just because it is taking time, I know there are office procedures to be followed).

Also, we can’t get into a neurosurgeon for at least a week.  We need his opinion to tell us if we can do physical therapy or if it has to be surgery..  We’re trying to get into one in LR (getting references from some family friends here in town) because I don’t know that you want to have a possible back surgery in a small town in AR.  The thought is a little scary.

Now the obvious problem, the baby is due in 3.5 weeks.  That is pretty self explanatory.  He is my educated coach for this birth and he may be in a hospital bed when the baby is born.  I really don’t want to do this without him-no one can replace him in those hours of labor.  We just need lots of prayers that this thing-surgery or not- will get resolved so he can enjoy his family and the experience of having Lexie.